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DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1087175
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Metabolic and Hormonal Effects of Oral DHEA in Premenopausal Women with HIV Infection: A Randomized, Prospective, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study
Publikationsverlauf
received 05.02.2008
accepted 05.08.2008
Publikationsdatum:
22. September 2008 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/hmr/200903/lookinside/thumbnails/10.1055-s-0028-1087175-1.jpg)
Abstract
Women with HIV infection use dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) because of its potential effects on mood and energy. We examined the effects of DHEA on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and gonadal axes and on insulin sensitivity. Fifteen HIV-positive women were randomized to receive placebo (6 subjects) or oral DHEA (9 subjects). ACTH-, CRF-, and GnRH-stimulation tests were performed before and after 8 weeks of treatment. DHEA, DHEA-S, dihydrotestosterone, total testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone–binding globulin, estrone, estradiol, cortisol, insulin, IGF-1, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, and adiponectin in plasma or serum were measured. There was a significant increase in DHEA (p<0.004), DHEA-S (p<0.008), total testosterone (p<0.008), dihydrotestosterone (p<0.004), androstenedione (p<0.04), and estrone (p<0.03) from baseline within the DHEA group but not within the placebo group. There was a significant increase in DHEA (p<0.0006), DHEA-S (p<0.032), total testosterone (p<0.01), and dihydrotestosterone (p<0.005) in the DHEA group compared with the placebo group. Oral DHEA produces significant increases in circulating DHEA, DHEA-S, testosterone, DHT, and, possibly, androstenedione and estrone levels in premenopausal women with HIV infection. In the current pilot study these hormone changes did not affect the pituitary or adrenal axis or insulin/IGF indices. Long-term studies with larger groups of patients are needed to confirm these data and to determine their clinical significance.
Key words
endocrine effects - DHEA - HIV infection - premenopausal women - insulin sensitivity
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Correspondence
L. PoretskyMD
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Beth Israel Medical Center
317 East 17th Street
10003 New York
Telefon: + 1/212/420 46 66
Fax: +1/212/420 22 24
eMail: lporetsk@chpnet.org